PTTIC Education Survey reveals rising use of generative AI tools among youth—and the challenge of preparing educators for digital technologies.
Photo by: Freestoks.org
By José Brito, journalist and founder of Pupa Educação Digital
“This is not about judging whether these tools are good or bad for learning. What we know is that schools and teachers are still unprepared to deal with them, while students are already using them. That’s where the risk lies: without proper guidance or critical thinking, these tools can significantly impact an entire generation’s learning process.”
Daniela Costa, Coordinator of the 2024 TIC Education Survey (Cetic.br)
I speak from personal experience. Over the past few years, I’ve noticed a shift in digital culture—starting with how we search for information online. I’m 47 now, and back in 1998, while reporting for the environmental TV program Globo Ecologia, I witnessed the rise of Google and early search tools. Notebooks and pens were joined by keyboards, bulky monitors, and dial-up internet. Fast forward to 2024: I found myself in Finland at a global meeting on artificial intelligence and media literacy, exploring how we access, interpret, and create information in today’s digital environment. Moral of the story: understand the technology of your time.
That’s exactly what’s happening with Gen Z—those born after 1997, around the time of the “Y2K bug” panic (shoutout to anyone who celebrated New Year’s Eve 2000!). The shift is clear: what used to be web search is now a conversational experience. Pages and pages of sponsored links have been replaced by chat interfaces capable of generating summaries, analyzing contexts, crafting emails, and even creating hyper-realistic videos. This isn’t just a tech upgrade—it’s a cultural transformation.
When I give talks and workshops on media, information, and digital education, I often ask: How do you stay informed? In a world where everything is a click away—thanks to Amazon, Google, OpenAI, Nvidia, and the chips powering them—I want to know how people are navigating this reality. Whether it’s understanding why coffee prices spiked at the bakery (blame export tariffs!), staying up-to-date with local gossip, or checking the weather—it all tells us something. These icebreaker questions help gauge how people engage with information in their daily lives, especially in a world of endless notifications and algorithm-fed news feeds.
The answers are almost always the same: “social media.” Lately, I’ve been hearing “ChatGPT” too, along with references to influencers or content on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, and WhatsApp. That’s where we dig deeper. Investigate is the right word—we need to ask who, what, when, where, how, and why. According to recent research by Cetic.br, students are using AI tools as early as elementary school, and this usage only grows with age. Platforms like TikTok and YouTube are becoming primary research tools, overtaking traditional search engines like Google, Yahoo, and Bing.
That’s why the quote from Daniela Costa—coordinator of the 2024 TIC Education Survey—is so telling. The data points to a rapid digital transformation in school routines. Seven in ten students say they use video platforms for school tasks, while only four in ten still use Wikipedia. “The research doesn’t clarify whether students use AI to help with assignments or let the tool do the entire task,” she adds. And though more high schoolers report using generative AI tools for schoolwork, only 30% say they’ve received guidance from teachers or schools.
So yes, it’s like changing the tires while the car’s still moving. Understanding the road ahead is just as important as the destination. And for that, we need better access to data and critical awareness. I recommend diving into the full survey—stick with it until the end, there’s a reading tip waiting for you.
See you next week!
#1 New research shows students prefer video content over traditional web search for school tasks
Link: [TIC Educação 2024] Freestoks.org
Link: [UNESCO]
Link: [Cúpula Global sobre Desinformação]
Link: [LinkedIn]
Link: [Educação & Tendências]
Let’s be honest—how often do you check your weekly screen time report? Maybe you didn’t even know that’s a feature built into most smartphones. Or think about it: what’s the first thing you do in the morning? Before saying “good morning,” brushing your teeth, or drinking coffee… chances are it involves your phone.
If you’re hooked on WhatsApp notifications or endlessly scrolling social media, this book is for you. It won’t prescribe therapy—but it will help you reflect on your relationship with tech and how digital platforms, infinite feeds, and personalized algorithms are shaping your daily life.
» The Attention Capitalism
Author: Chris Hayes
Publisher: Livros de Valor
Year: 2025
Até a semana que vem! 😉